Cape deployable from a wearable pouch

ABSTRACT

An article having utility in the event of foul weather includes a cape or robe integrally attached to an elongate pouch that is adapted to be conveniently and comfortably worn along a back portion of a neck of a person. The pouch includes a fabric strap extending from each of opposite ends of the elongate pouch, which are joinable at a front of the neck of a person. The pouch has an opening and a closure for selectively deploying or stowing the cape or robe.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

A foul-weather clothing system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,370 includes a so-called “waist wraparound” that can be released from a pouch that can be worn around a neck of the wearer. The neck pouch includes a slip over version and a front fastener version. Each of these neck pouches extends completely around the neck of the wearer restricting head movement, particularly forward tilting of the head of the wearer. Additionally, the bulkiness of the pouch at the front of the neck of the wearer can be annoying, uncomfortable, and visually distracting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure pertains to capes and robes that can be stowed in or deployed from a pouch that is wearable around a users neck.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosed article comprising a cape or robe integrally attached to a pouch wearable around a neck of a human wearer offers the convenience and comfort of a selectively deployable and stowable torso covering that can be worn around the neck without restricting head movement or causing discomfort or visual distraction.

The article includes an elongate pouch that is configured to be worn along a back of a neck of a human wearer, with straps that extend from opposite ends of the pouch and that are releasably joinable at a front of the neck of the wearer to secure the pouch on the neck of the wearer without restricting head movement or causing discomfort or distraction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the integral pouch and cape or robe articles with the cape or robe contained in the pouch and the pouch zippered closed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the articles shown in FIG. 1 with the pouch zippered open to reveal the cape or robe folded, rolled or otherwise disposed within the pouch.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the article shown in FIG. 1 with the cape or robe deployed from the pouch.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 1 worn on the neck of a human wearer with the cape or robe stowed in the pouch.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 1 worn on the neck of a human wearer with the cape or robe deployed from the pouch and draped over the shoulders of the wearer and covering the torso of the wearer.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment that includes a selectively stowable and deployable hood.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment that includes a front closure, namely a zipper.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the pouch portion of the article in which the distal ends of the straps extending from opposite ends of the pouch are provided with hook and loop type fastening elements.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the pouch portion of the article in which the distal ends of the straps extending from opposite ends of the pouch are provided with snap-type fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An article 10 including a cape or robe selectively stowable or deployable from a pouch wearable around a neck of a human wearer is shown in the drawings. Article 10 includes a pouch 12 configured to selectively enclose and deploy a cape or robe 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Pouch 12 includes an opening 16 that extends along the length direction of the pouch and that can be selectively opened or closed with a closure element 18, such as a zipper, buttons, snaps or hook and loop fasteners (e.g., fasteners sold under the trademark “Velcro”).

The term “cape” encompasses sleeveless garments that drape loosely over the shoulders and cover the torso. Such capes can be of generally any desired length, such as to the waist or lower (e.g., to the knees of the wearer). The term “robe” encompasses loose outer garments that may or may not include sleeves.

Straps 20A, 20B have proximal ends attached at opposite ends of pouch 12. Straps 20A and 20B are joinable at their respective distal ends to secure pouch 12 on the neck of a wearer. For example, straps 20A and 20B can be tied together, such as in a bowknot. Alternatively, distal ends 22A and 22B can be provided with fastening elements such as hook 24 and loop 26 fasteners (as shown in FIG. 8), or snap fasteners 30 (as shown in FIG. 9). By employing a plurality of snap fasteners 30, the straps can be adjusted as desired by the wearer for comfort and securement.

Straps 20A and 20B can be made of a fabric that is the same as or different from the fabric used to make pouch 12. Straps 20A and 20B can be integrally cut with the fabric of the pouch or can be sewn to pouch 12.

An upper edge 32 of cape or robe 14 is fastened to an inner section 34 of pouch 12 (FIG. 3). For example, cape or robe 14 can be sewn to pouch 12. Alternatively, cape or robe 14 can be releasably attached to pouch 12, such as with a zipper, snap fasteners or buttons.

As shown in FIG. 4, article 10 can be worn with pouch 12 extending along only the back portion of the neck of the wearer, thereby offering unrestricted movement of the head of the wearer in a forward direction or a sideward direction.

Robe or cape 14 can be easily deployed from pouch 12 without removing article 10 from around the neck of the wearer by releasing closure fastener 18 to open pouch 12 and allow robe or cape 14 to deploy. Cape or robe 14 can then be pulled over the shoulders of the wearer (FIG. 5).

In certain embodiments, a hood 38 can be provided (FIG. 6). Hood 38 can be attached to an inner section of pouch 12 such as by sewing, or releasably attached such as with a zipper, buttons, snap fasteners, or hook and loop fasteners.

As shown in FIG. 7, cape or robe 14 can be provided with a front closure 40 such as a zipper.

Cape or robe 14 can be made of generally any fabric material used for fabricating outerwear. However, to provide a compact lightweight article 10, cape or robe 14 can be made of a lightweight thermally insulative or water-repellant fabric.

While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrated embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited hereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings herein will recognize additional modifications and embodiments within the scope thereof. Therefore, the present invention is limited only by the claims attached herein. 

1. An article comprising a cape or robe integral with a wearable pouch, comprising: an elongate pouch configured to be worn along a back of a neck of a human wearer, a fabric strap extending from each of opposite ends of the elongate pouch, the straps being joinable at a front of the neck of the wearer to secure the pouch on the neck of the wearer, the pouch including an opening extending along the length direction of the pouch and a closure for closing the pouch opening; and a cape or robe having an upper edge fastened to an inner section of the pouch, the cape or robe being selectively deployable over shoulders of the wearer and covering a torso of the wearer, and stowable in the pouch.
 2. The article of claim 1, in which fabric straps are made of the same fabric material as the pouch.
 3. The article of Claim I, in which the straps each have a proximal end attached to one of the opposite ends of the pouch and a distal end having a strap fastener for releasably and adjustably securing the distal ends of the straps together.
 4. The article of claim 3, in which the strap fastener is selected from the group consisting of snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, and buttons and holes.
 5. The article of claim 1, in which the pouch closure is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop closures, snap closures, button closures, and a zipper.
 6. The article of claim 1, in which the deployable cape or robe includes a front closure.
 7. The article of claim 6, in which the front closure is a zipper.
 8. The article of claim 1, further comprising a hood that is selectively stowable in and deployable from the pouch and attached to an upper section of the cape or robe or to an inner section of the pouch.
 9. The article of claim 1, in which the cape or robe includes arm slits on opposite sides of the cape or robe.
 10. An article comprising a cape or robe integral with a wearable pouch, comprising: an elongate pouch configured to be worn along a back of a neck of a human wearer, a fabric strap extending from each of opposite ends of the elongate pouch, the straps being joinable at a front of the neck of the wearer to secure the pouch on the neck of the wearer, the pouch including an opening extending along the length direction of the pouch and a closure for closing the pouch opening; and a cape or robe having an upper edge releasably attached to an inner section of the pouch, the cape or robe being selectively deployable over shoulders of the wearer and covering a torso of the wearer, and stowable in the pouch.
 11. The article of claim 1, wherein the upper edge of the cape or robe is releasably attached to the inner section of the pouch with a zipper.
 12. The article of claim 1, wherein the upper edge of the cape or robe is releasably attached to the inner section of the pouch with snap fasteners.
 13. The article or claim 1, wherein the upper edge of the cape or robe is releasably attached to the inner section of the pouch with buttons. 